Panoramic binocular telescope



`Ian. 20, 1953 R. HAYWARD PANORAMIC BINOCULAR TELESCOPE 3 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Deo. 2, 1947 Ruger Huywnrd Jan. 20, 1953 R. HAYwARD PANORAMICBINOCULAR TELESCOPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed DeG. 2, 1947 Jan. 20, 1953 R.HAYWARD 2,525,854

PANORAMIC BINOCULAR TELESCOPE Filed Dec. 2, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 25'Ruger Hayward Patented `an. 270, 1953.

PANORAMIC BINOCULAR TELEsCoPE Roger Hayward, Pasadena, Calif., assignorto the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of theArmy Application December 2, 1947, Serial No. 789,283

` (c1. ssi-32) Claims.

This invention relates to optical sighting del vices, more .particularlyto binocular scanning instruments. Such instruments find great utility`at observation posts where the observer mustbe able to inspect arelatively wide area, vertically.

inspect a relatively wide area, but the .armoredv turret, together withhis cramped position within the turret, severely limit his range ofvision. As

.another example of use of such an instrument may be mentioned the pilotor turret gunner of an aircraft. Other uses will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art.

In binocular vision, the images presented to the two eyes should appearto come from substantially the same direction at all times. Stated inanother way, the principal external optical axes of the lines of sightto both eyes, should be relatively fixed in parallelism. If the twolines become angularly related by a small angle in a horizontal plane,the optical accommodation of the normal observer will fuse the twoimages and enable him to maintain normal stereoscopic vision Withoutdifficulty. However, a relative angular motion of the two images in avertical plane, by as little as two to three minutes of arc will causestereoscopic vision to be lost. The actual angular movement between thertwo principal axes, corresponding to the aforesaid two or three minutesof apparent movement, will, for a six-power binocular, for example, be afraction of a minute. Such a small tolerance requires either that thetwo reectors governing vertical deflection be mountedupon one and thesame supporting element, or that they be connected by mechanism of thehighest precision. Such mechanism is inherently costly to produce.

Hence, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a binoculartelescopic scanning instru- -ment which, while relatively simple andinex- -pensive to construct, inherently operates with a high degree ofprecision and accuracy.

A second object is the provision of a scanner or binocular of the typeaforesaid wherein the reflectors which control vertical scanning aremounted for movement as a unit upon the same mechanical part such thatthere exists no possibility of relative angular movement between them innormally vertical planes.

A further object is the provision of anoptical scanner of the typeaforesaid wherein the optical paths between each objective lens and itseyepiece remains constant in length for all angular positions of thelines of sight relatively to the principal axes of the eyepieces.

A still further object is the provision of a scanner wherein bothvertical and horizontal movements may be keffected by a single controlelement or handle.

A still further object is the provision of a scanner of the typedescribed which may be constructed as a binocularor monocular type,which is relatively simple and inexpensive to construct, highly accuratein use, and easy to operate.

Other -objects and advantages will become aparent after a study of the`following descripion:

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, the left eyepiece andboth entrance reflectors being omitted for greater clarity ofillustration,

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the optical elements in the positionthey assume lwhen the external line of sight is horizontal,

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the optical elements in the positionthey assume when the external line of sight is vertical,

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken in aplane containing the principal axisof the objectives, as indicated by the line 4 4, Fig. 5,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view in a plane at right anglesto the plane ofFig. 4, as indicated by the line 5 5, Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view in a plane parallel to the plane of Fig. 5 asindicated by the line 6 6, Fig. 4,

Fig. 'I is a sectional view taken. in a plane parallel to the planes ofFigs. 5 and 6, as indicated by the line 1 1, Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is an exploded detail view showing the objective support and itspivotal mounting or base, y

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the left eyepiece prism, and

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the vsame prism.

Referring in detail to the drawing, I identifies a base having parallelspaced uprights 2 and `il rigid therewith, and supporting a bearing tube4 at their upper ends. Tube 4 has anti-friction bearings 5 and 6 ttingwithin its ends. A sleeve 'I has a semi-cylindrical mid-portion cutaway, as indicated at 8, Fig. 8. This sleeve, in the assembledinstrument, fits Within and is journaled by.'LJ learings 5 and 6adjacent the ends of cut- -ou Left objective and reflector holder V9 is,generally cylindrical in formand, has its inner end closed at I0, Fig.4. This end carries a centrallypositioned inner bearing race Il for apurpose subsequently described. The holder 9 is rigidly attached to thecorresponding, or left end of sleeve 1, as by means of an integraloutwardlyturned flange I2, Figs. 4, 5 and 8, conveniently riveted to theupper side of sleeve 1, and an integral tangential wall or flange I3vextending tangentially downwardly from the lower forward side of theholder and secured to the lower side of sleeve 1, as by riveting at I4,Fig. 5. The outer end of holder 9 is closed by an objective assembly,including ring I4 threaded therein and carrying objective I5. An innerrace I6 of an antifriction bearing I1 extends about and is secured tothe outside of the outer end of holder 9.

In addition to objective lens I5, holder 9 supports a rst erector mirrorI8 having its reflecting surface I9 on its forward side. This mirror ismounted by a, frame 20 fitting within and se- -cured to the holder, andextends at 45 across the 4'principal axis 2l of the objective SI5.Holder 9 also carries a second erecting mirror 22 secured to theaforesaid ltangential wall I3 and having its reflecting surface 23 uponits front surface. As will be noted from Figs. 2, '3, 4 and 5,reflectors I8 and 22 are co-extensive in planes normal to `axis 2| sothat rays received by I9 from objective I5 are reflected to 2,2 in adirection radial of axis 2I. Mirror 22 is parallel Ato axis 2|, as willbe obvious from yinspection of Fig. 5.

A third erecting mirror 24 is mounted within `the left-hand portion ofsleeve 'I at 45 4across the axis 25 and in rotational position toreceive the rays reected from mirror '22, yand to reect the -sameparallel with and inwardly along axis 25. VAxes 2.I and 25 are parallel.Like reflectors I8 and '22, reflector 24 has its 4reecting surface 26 onits forward face. All three mirrors are xedly related and move as a unitvwhen sleeve 1 is rotated in bearings 5 and 6.

From Fig. 8, it will be noted that .bearing tube f4 has twosubstantially.semi-cylindrical cut-outs 28 and 29 having two boundaryedges along `comriiori elements of the cylinder. Carrier 21 (Figs. vland 6) is formed with a groove 39 which receives the lower edge 'ofcut-out 28 and assists in .guiding the carrier for axial movement. A'g'ib 31 lis attached, as by "screws, to the opposite edge of cut-out28. The free edge of this -gib is lbent to 1project with a smooth lit,into a channel 92 formed in the upper portion of carrier 21. Thus thecarrier is prevented from rotation about axis 25 but is .freeforlimitedsliding in a Adirection parallel with such axis.

The prism 33 is xed within carrier 21 and is a vmodified form of doubleright-angle prism effective to erect the image received from reflector24. The eyepiece 34 may be of any conventional well-known type and isassembled as a unit and screwed into an opening 35 in carrier 21.

The foregoing optical elements, including the entrance reector 36, whosemounting "will be subsequently described, constitute the left opticaltrain. As will be noted from Figs. -2 and y3 in particular vthe rightoptical system is, in general, a mirror duplicate of the left systemjust described so that it is deemed unnecessary to describe the same indetail. Each part of -the right 'optical train has been given the samereference character, primed, as has .been used 'to identify thecorresponding part in the left train. Thus it is deemed sufficient,referring more particuflarly to Figs. -2 and 3, to mention .right.entrance reflector 36', objective I5', erecting reflectors I9', 22 and24', prism 33 and eyepiece 34. Except for prism 35', each optical partof the right train may be a duplicate of the corresponding part oi' thelei't train. Prism 33 is a mirror dupiicate of prism 93 as will beobvious from inspection.

Right eye-piece 34 is supported by a carrier 21' which is mounted withincut-out 29 oi' tube 4 for limited movement along axis 25 in the samemanner as has been described for carrier 21. A thumbscrew 31, havingrightand lefthand threads at its respective ends, is journaled in lugsv15 secured to tube 4. The threaded ends of screw 31 engagecorrespondingly threaded holes in carriers 21 and 21 so that, whenturned. the screw vacts to vary the spacing of the eyepieces to suit theinterpupillary dimension of the observer. Focussing may be effected in aconventional manner, by turning the eyepieees.

'lhe Yright objective I5 and reflector I8 are mounted in a holder 9' inthe manner previously described for objective I5 and reflector I8,reflector I8 being supported in a frame 20. Holder 9', is a mirrorduplicate of holder 9, and is rigidly attached to the right end ofsleeve 1 by flanges or walls I2 and I3', Figs. 1 and 6, 'corresponding'to flanges I2 and I3, previously described. This holder also carries onits externalsurface an inner race I6' of an anti-friction bearing,substantially coplanar with objective assembly I5.

rihe inner end of holder 9 is closed by a wall I-Il which, like wall I0,carries a central bearing race II. The two races II and Il are coaxialwith axis 2I and between them, rotatably support a hollow shaft 39 onwhich is centrally fixed, a pulley 39 having a predetermined eectivebeit diameter. A bracket 40, Fig. 4, having integral, angularly-related,forwardly-extending arms 4I and 42, is also rigidly attached, either topulley 59, or to shaft 3B.

Bracket 40 forms one element of a unitary frame by which entrancereflectors 36 and 36 are mounted for universal synchronous motion. Thisframe includes a bracket 43 which comprises a plate 44, Figs. 1 and 4,having a central opening journaled on race I6 and, in fact, form- .ingthe outer race of .bearing I1, and spaced Astandards 45 and 46.

These Vstandards have aligned openings at their outer ends, which definethe transverse or laterally-extending pivot axis for entrance mirror 36.

As :clearly shown upon Fig. 1, mirror 36 is carried by and between alower member 41 having its ends formed with upwardly-facing, alignedchannels such as. 48, and an upper member 49 having a channel 50downwardly facing as seen in Fig. l. Members 41 and 49 vare united by arod 5I to which they may be rigidly fixed, as by set screws 52, Fig. 4.Each of the members has a ystud projecting therefrom in offset relationwith rod 5i and adapted to have a bearing fit in the aligned aperturesin standards 45 and 46.

The aforesaid channels in members 41 vand 49 receive and grip theopposite edges of Areflector or mirror 35. From Fig. 4 it will 'be notedthat this mirror has its reflecting .surface 53 on its rear face andthat the transverse pivot axis 56 of the mirror assembly, as definedbythe aforementioned studs, lies in Ythe plane of said reflectingsurface. A lever '54 having-a slot 55 'in its outer end extendingradiallyof axis 56, is attached to,

lor integral with, Amember 41.

The right entrance mirror 36' is mounted in the same manner as that justdescribed for mirror 36 and the parts of this mounting have been giventhe same reference numerals, primed, as have been used to identifycorresponding parts of the mounting for mirror 36. Consequently, it willbe suflicient to identify bracket 43 comprising plate 44' and standards45 and 46', lower mirrormounting member 41', upper mounting member 49',and lever 54' withits slot 55. In addition, the stud projecting frommember 41, is, in the case of member 41', replaced by a downwardlyextending rod 51, to the lower end of which a control handle 58 isaffixed and by which the direction of the line of sight in elevation andazimuth may be controlled in the manner subsequently explained. Themirrors 36 and 36 have been omitted in Fig. 1 for greater clarity ofillustration.

Plates 44 and 44', at the upper and lower corners of their forwardedges, are provided with apertured lugs. The apertures at the uppercorners are in axial alignment with that in the 'end of arm 4 I, whilethose at the lower corner are in axial alignment with the aperture inthe end of arm 42. The three brackets 43, 40 and 43', are connected formovement as a unit, by tubes 59 and 60. As seen at Fig. 4, tube 60 hasthreaded ends and collars 6I and 62 fixed adjacent its respective ends.The tube passes through the aligned apertures in brackets 43, 40 and 43'and brackets 43 and 43' are rigidly fixed in spaced relation by nuts 63and 64 threaded onto the ends of tube 60, and acting to clamp arespective bracket against its collar. Tube 59 is preferably identicalwith tube 60 and is secured to brackets 43 and 43' in the same manner.Each tube passes with a snug fit through the aperture in a respectivearm 4I and y42. If desired, these arms may be fixed to the tubes as bysoldering or set screws. In the claims, the unitary structure includingbrackets 49, 43, 43 and tubes 59 and 60, will be termed a frame.

A rod 65 has a smooth sliding fit within tube 60. This rod is threadedat its ends. At the left end, as seen in Fig. 4, a sleeve 66 is threadedon rod 65 and is slotted at its end to receive the end of lever 54. Apin 61 is then passed through aligned holes in the slotted end andthrough slot 55. A sleeve 68 is threaded upon the right end of rod 65.This sleeve is of the same form as 66 and its slotted end receives theend of lever 54'. A pin 69 passes through aligned holes in the slottedendsin.. the slotted end of sleeve 68 and through slot 55'. The threadsupon the ends of rod 65 may be of opposite hand or of the same hand withdifferent pitch so that, by loosening llock nuts 13 and 14 and turningthe rod, the distance between the axes of pins 61 and 69 may bemadeprecisely equal to the distance between the pivot axes of the twomirrors 36 and 36'. These mirrors are thus at all times rotated throughequal angles.

Pulley 39 has the same effective diameter as the outer diameter of tube4. As shown upon Figs. l, 4 and 6, a crossed belt or cable element 19passes about the central portion of tube 4 and pulley 39. This elementmay be a section of flexible metallic cable or wire and, to preventslipping, may be secured to the aforesaid tube and pulley, as by meansof screws 1I and 12 (see Figs. l and 6). By this connection, anyrevolution through a given angle of sleeve 1 and the parts supportedthereby, (which includes entrance mirrors 36 and 36') about the axis 25of tube 4, will result in an angular movement of mirrors 36 and 36 aboutaxis 2|, equal to twice the aforesaid given angle. This is in accordancewith the well-known principle that if a `first cylinder is rolledwithout slipping, about a second cylinder of equal diameter, a radialline connecting the axes of the two cylinders rotates through one-halfthe angle of rotation of the rst cylinder. Thus, since they are fixed inholders 9 and 9', respectively, which holders are, in turn, rigidlyattached to sleeve 1, mirrors 22 and 22' are always rotated throughone-half the angle of entrance mirrors 36 and 36'; and the rays receivedby 22 and 22' from I9 and I9', respectively, are always reflected to 24and 24'. Furthermore, since entrance mirrors 36 and 36 are rigidlyunited, they rotate as a unit about axis 2| so that no possibilityexists of losing stereoscopic vision by slight relative rotation aboutthis axis.

. The operation will now be clear. The user i-lrst operates thumb screw31 to effect the proper interpupillary adjustment between eyepieces 34and 34 and then while looking into the eyepieces, grasps and turnshandle 58. Turning handle 58 about the axis of control rod 51 causes theentrance reectors to pivot synchronously to scan an area in a planenormal to the parallel pivot axes of the mirrors. Also handle 58 may beoperated to rotate the brackets 43 and 43'. This movement causes sleeve1 and all the parts aiiixed thereto, to rotate as a unit about the axis25 of tube 4 and enables the scanning of an area in planes normal toaxes 2| and 25. Fig. 2 shows the position of the optical parts with thelines of sight directed parallel with the principal optical axes ofeyepieces 34, 34. Fig. 3 shows the position of the same parts when thelines of sight are rotated through and are at right angles to the axesof the eyepieces. It will be noted that mirrors 22 and 22' have rotatedthrough 45, for a 90 rotation of the lines of sight. Of course, handle58 may be simultaneously rotated about the axis of its shaft 51, andrevolved about axis 25 to direct the lines of sight toward any pointwithin the effective range of adjustment of the instrument. Since thisrange is limited in azimuth, it may be desirable to mount base I forpivotal movement about a Vertical axis as by mounting it on a standardleveling head. Then, by rotating base I in steps within the effectivepivotal range of mirrors 36, 36', scanning may be effected in anydirection. It will be understood that the instrument may beoperated todirect the lines of sight vertically downwardly frompthe position shownin Figs. l and 2.

I have thus provided a universal scanning sight which is easily operableand highly accurate over its effective range. Since the entrance mirrorsare positively connected for movement as a unit about axis ZI, there isno possibility of loss of stereoscopic vision and an erect stereoscopiceld of view is presented for all positions of adjustment.

While I have disclosed a preferred form of the scanner, as now known tome, various alterations and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, after a study of the present specification anddrawing. For example, various mechanical substitutes for the cableconnection 10, such as gearing chains or links will suggest themselves.Furthermore, while the instrument has been shown as the binocular type,it may readily be constructed as a monocular instrument by omittingeither the right or left train of optical parts. Consequently, theforegoing disclosure vshould be taken in an illustrative rather than alimiting sense; and it is Vmydesire -to reserve al1 such changes andymodications as :fall within the :scope .of .the subjoined claims.

Having now fully disclosed my invention, what I claimfand desire tosecure vby Letters VPatent is:

`1. Ina binocular panoramic telescope, a base, bearing Ymeans on saidbase .dening a first., substantially horizontal axis, a Vsleevejournaled in saidbearing means for rotation on said first axis, a pairof .holders connected with respective ends of said sleeve and defining asecond axis oiset from and parallel to said Vrst axis, an objectivein-eachiholder, having its principal axis coinciding with said secondaxis, each holder Vhaving a ybearing race concentric of said secondaxis, .a frame journal-ed on said races, a pair of `entrance'reflectorscarried by said frame for pivotal movement about spacedparallel .axes vnormal to said second axis, each axis lying in the planeof its respective reiiector, yeach .reflector reiiecting a :common fieldof view into its objective, means including :a rod longitudinally.slidable on said frame connecting said reflectors for synchronouspivotal movement, three erecting reflectors car- ;ried by each saidholder in positions to reflect .said eldof View coaxially along saidfirst axis, a vpair of eyepieces staticnarily mounted on said .base withparallel axes normal to said rst axis, a pair of double right angleprisms on said base, each `reilecting .its field of View vto arespective zeyepiece, and means connecting said frame and base`effective to rotate said frame about said second axis through twice theangle of revolution of .said frame and holders about said first axis.

2. A `telescope as recited in claim l, said last- :named meanscomprising a hollow shaft journaled on and between said holders on said-second axis, pulley means of equal diameter concentric of said firstand second axes, respectively, and

crossed'belt means connecting said pulley means. i.

4about said first axis, second bearing means on.

said holders -dening a second axis parallel to and voffset from saidvrst axis, an objective lens mounted in each holder respectively withits optical axis coincident with said second axis, a rigid fio unitaryframe journaled on said second bearing 55 means, a pair of entrancereflectors pivoted in said frame on respective spaced parallel thirdaxes, each said third axis being in the plane of its reflector andnormal to said second axis, a parallelogram linkage connecting -saidentrance reflectors for pivotal movement in unison in said frame,reiiector means in each holder operable to reect the rays from arespective ob- Yjective to a corresponding eyepiece, means con- 8nesting said lbase .and frame to rotate .said entrance :reflectors .as a.unit about said secondaxis through twice the angle through which saidyholders revolve about Asaid `first axis, and a control handle directlyconnected With one said entrance reflector along its said third axis.

4. In a binocular vpanoramic telescope, a fixed base, right .and lefteyepieces carried by said base, a holder .means journaled on said baseon a iirst axis normal vto the axes of said eyepieces, Yright and leftobjectives carried by said holder means with their common principal axisparallel .to and Aoffset fromsaid rst axis, a frame journaled on saidholder means on said principal axis, right and left .entrance reflectorspivoted on said `frame on spaced parallel axes normal to and concurrentwith said .principal axis, the axis -of veach reflector lying vin itsreflecting .surface, means .connecting said reilectors for synchronouspivotal movement, vrightand left sets .of erecting .reflectors viixedlymounted on said holder .means-.each set beingeflectiveto reflect thefield of view from its objective transversely to and then inwardlyalongsaid first axis, prism means carried by said base Aacross saidfirst axis to reflect each field of View into .a respective eyepiece,means eective to rotate said frame about said ,principal axis ,throughtwice the angle oi revolution of said holder means on said rst axis, and`manually operable means fixed to one said reector and operable `to.universally direct the lines of sight by pivoting said mirrors androtatingsaid frame, said frame comprisinga shaft journaled on saidholder vmeans-on said .principal axis, first pulley Vmeans fixed on saidshaft, right and left lor-adicta; in which .said entrance reilectors arerespectively pivoted, tube means' rigidly .connecting said brackets andshaft, second pulley means xed to said base of equal diameter with said`first pulley means, and drive means .Connecting .said -iirst and secondpulley means.

5. Ina telescope as recited in claim 4, each said entrance reflectorhaving a lever arm radial of .its pivot axis, land a rod, Yadjustable inlength, slidable through said tube means and pivoted at its ends .tosaid lever arms.

ROGER HAYWARD.

REFERENCES CITED The -following Ireferences are of record in the fileAof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

